Pepin

Anglers in 2021-2023 experienced "low" summer and fall water levels not seen since the late 1980s. These levels presented challenges to anglers whose experience on Pool 4 only took place during the last decade or so when "high water" has been the norm, but strong populations of multiple gamefish species particularly Walleye, Sauger, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie were enjoyed by many. The 2024 outlook for Walleye and Sauger anglers is very positive. Six year classes from age-4 through age-10 contributed Sauger >20-inches in the 2023 gill nets. During the 2024 angling season these fish and fast-growing individuals from the large 2020 year class should provide opportunities for Sauger >20-inches. Strong reproduction of Walleye from 2018-2021 and Sauger in 2018 and 2020 will provide ample fish for anglers in 2024. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Bluegill should continue to provide excellent angling opportunities during 2024 based on the numbers of adult and juvenile fish sampled. The consistent Bluegill and Yellow Perch reproduction observed for the last several decades should continue to provide good angling opportunities with quality sized fish available in 2024. The likely strong 2018 year class of Black Crappie will enhance an already productive crappie fishery by providing larger individuals to the population for the next several years. For the last several years, these fish were available in large numbers from 10-13 inches in length, so in 2024 anglers should find plenty of harvestable fish, but smaller sizes will also be present and as always sorting will likely be required. Northern Pike numbers are coming down from recent highs, but anglers should have ample opportunities to target Northern Pike throughout Pool 4 as abundant food sources rapidly grow pike to preferred and even trophy size when favorable conditions occur. The start of the 2015 angling season on March 1, 2015 represented the first time since the early 1990's that anglers were allowed to legally target Lake Sturgeon in Pool 4. Wisconsin opened a season matching Minnesota's on their shared border waters in 2016. After eight open water seasons of catch and release angling for Lake Sturgeon on Pool 4, local interest in the species continues to increase. Anglers have, on several occasions, assisted DNR staff in their tagging efforts by providing hook and line caught individuals for tagging. This method should be used to continue expanding the tagged population of Lake Sturgeon in the system.

Anglers in 2021-2022 experienced "low" water levels not seen since the late 1980s. These levels presented challenges to anglers whose experience on Pool 4 only took place during the last decade or so when "high water" has been the norm, but strong populations of multiple gamefish species particularly Walleye and Black Crappie were enjoyed by many. The 2023 outlook for Walleye and Sauger anglers is very positive. Five year classes from age-4 through age-8 contributed Sauger >20-inches in the 2022 gill nets. During the 2023 angling season these fish should provide opportunities for Sauger >20-inches. Strong reproduction of Walleye in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 and Sauger in 2018 and 2020 led to numerous reports of their capture as YOY by anglers both on open water and through the ice in 2020. Those fish from 2020 (29.4% of the Walleye and 71.8% of the Sauger caught in the 2022 gill nets) will provide numerous fish 13-19 inches for Walleye and 12-17 inches for Sauger in 2023. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Bluegill should continue to provide excellent angling opportunities during 2023 based on the numbers of adult and juvenile fish sampled. The consistent Bluegill and Yellow Perch reproduction observed since 2004 should continue to provide good angling opportunities with quality sized fish available in 2023. Four apparent strong year classes (2012-2014 and 2018) of Black Crappie will enhance an already productive crappie fishery with individuals recruiting to the creel for the next several years. In late 2022 these fish were available in large numbers from 10-13 inches in length, so in 2023 anglers should find plenty of harvestable fish, but smaller sizes will also be present and as always sorting will likely be required. Northern Pike numbers remain above the third quartile, likely as a result of high water, abundant forage, and extensive spawning opportunities. Anglers should have ample opportunities to target Northern Pike throughout Pool 4 as abundant food sources rapidly grow pike to preferred and even trophy size when favorable conditions occur. The start of the 2015 angling season on March 1, 2015 represented the first time since the early 1990's that anglers were allowed to legally target Lake Sturgeon in Pool 4. Wisconsin opened a season matching Minnesota's on their shared border waters in 2016. After eight open water seasons of catch and release angling for Lake Sturgeon on Pool 4, local interest in the species continues to increase. Anglers have, on several occasions, assisted DNR staff in their tagging efforts by providing hook and line caught individuals for tagging. This method should be used to continue expanding the tagged population of Lake Sturgeon in the system.

Anglers in 2021 experienced "low" water levels not seen since the late 1980s. These levels presented challenges to anglers whose experience on Pool 4 only took place during the last decade or so when "high water" has been the norm, but strong populations of multiple gamefish species particularly Walleye and Black Crappie were enjoyed by many. The 2022 outlook for Walleye and Sauger anglers is very positive. Ten year classes from age-3 through age-12 contributed Sauger >20-inches in the 2021 gill nets. During the 2022 angling season these fish should provide opportunities for Sauger >20-inches. The 2018 year class (25.7% of the 2021 gill-net catch) will also provide numbers of Sauger from 15-21 inches as they grow in 2022. Strong reproduction of Walleye in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and Sauger in 2018 and 2020 led to numerous reports of their capture as YOY by anglers both on open water and through the ice in 2020. Those fish from 2020 (25.7% of the Walleye and 50.2% of the Sauger caught in the 2021 gill nets) will provide numerous smaller fish 13-19 inches for Walleye and 10-17 inches for Sauger in 2022. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Bluegill should continue to provide excellent angling opportunities during 2022 based on the numbers of adult and juvenile fish sampled. The consistent Bluegill and Yellow Perch reproduction observed since 2004 should continue to provide good angling opportunities with quality sized fish available in 2022. Four apparent strong year classes (2012-2014 and 2018) of Black Crappie will enhance an already productive crappie fishery with individuals recruiting to the creel for the next several years. In late 2021 these fish were available in large numbers from 10-14 inches in length, so in 2022 anglers should find plenty of harvestable fish, but smaller sizes will also be present and as always sorting will likely be required. Northern Pike numbers remain above the third quartile, likely as a result of high water, abundant forage, and extensive spawning opportunities. Anglers should have ample opportunities to target Northern Pike throughout Pool 4 as abundant food sources rapidly grow pike to preferred and even trophy size when favorable conditions occur. The start of the 2015 angling season on March 1, 2015 represented the first time since the early 1990's that anglers were allowed to legally target Lake Sturgeon in Pool 4. Wisconsin opened a season matching Minnesota's on their shared border waters in 2016. After seven open water seasons of catch and release angling for Lake Sturgeon on Pool 4, local interest in the species continues to increase. Anglers have, on several occasions, assisted DNR staff in their tagging efforts by providing hook and line caught individuals for tagging. Once COVID protocols allow this method should be used to continue expanding the tagged population of Lake Sturgeon in the system. Regulations The first comprehensive public review of bag and size limits in over fifty years was initiated in 2018 on the Mississippi River portion of the border waters between Minnesota and Wisconsin. After collecting input from nearly 2000 total surveys (electronic and meetings combined) proposed regulations were developed by Department of Natural Resources staff from both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearings in 2019 showed strong support for all proposals, verifying what had been found by the second round of surveys (N=1225) conducted in 2018. The new regulations were approved by both states and went into effect in Minnesota on February 24, 2020 and in Wisconsin on April 1, 2020. Reports from conservation officers and members of the public have indicated that the new regulations have been greeted with very high acceptance by the public.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass in Pepin. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Pepin. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Pepin has a maximum depth of 60 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pepin is from 2023.

Yes — Pepin has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil, bighead carp, silver carp, and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.